Dutch Commission for UNESCO considers Open Science NL work programme
The Open Science NL work programme for 2024/2025 is the first of its kind and represents a milestone.
Many UNESCO Member States look to the Netherlands when it comes to open science. The scale and the way our country is investing in this crucial transformation is an international source of inspiration. How can we continue this work? And how can we ensure that other countries can participate on an equal footing?
Open Science in the Netherlands
Open science is a fundamental pillar of UNESCO. When scientists make publications, sources, data, software and hardware publicly available, this ensures that more people can address important research questions and participate in the production of knowledge. In this way, all voices are heard and important ideas are not lost. Open science also increases the transparency of science, which is beneficial for societies’ trust in research.
the Open Science NL (NWO) Work Programme 2024/2025 It is the first of its kind and therefore represents a milestone. This programme is the result of the Dutch government’s long-standing commitment to open science. Open Science NL invited the Dutch Commission for UNESCO to evaluate this work programme through the “UNESCO lens”. Subsequently, the Commission developed a reflection with UNESCO Chair for Diversity and Inclusion in Global Science (Leiden University).
Praise, two points of interest
The Committee describes the work programme as one of the most progressive in the world. The reflection commends, among other things, the investments in data stewards, which are essential for sharing data in an understandable and accessible way. The Committee is pleased with the support provided by citizen science centres and the umbrella organisation Citizen Science NL: involving the population in the research process (“citizen science”) is an important theme for UNESCO.
The Committee points out two points of interest:
- Public participationThe programme reserves funds for citizen science centres, but the committee would like to see other social partners also eligible for funding in the future. Many (non-profit) organisations in the Netherlands develop knowledge, especially in “more practical” areas. This deserves more support.
- Global Impact: Open science does not stop at our national borders. To solve global issues, scientists from the Global South must be able to participate on an equal footing. The Committee asks Open Science NL to continue its commitment to an inclusive global knowledge community.
Addressing these key issues will not be easy. They involve complex structural problems that cannot be solved by Open Science NL alone. It requires the efforts of policymakers and scientists at home and abroad. One thing is certain: if the Netherlands wants to continue to inspire other countries in the field of open science, it is vital that it continues to invest in this transformation.
In its consideration, the Committee is taking a first step towards continuing to take the necessary steps.
Read the full meditation.
